Trump Warns Iran After Houthi Red Sea Tanker Attacks
DUBAI_U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Iran and its Houthi allies of “major military punishment” if attacks on shipping in the Red Sea continue, after the Yemeni group targeted oil tankers in an escalation that intensified concerns over global energy supplies and maritime security.
Trump’s warning came after the Houthis struck at least one oil tanker in the Red Sea and claimed responsibility for targeting a second vessel. The attacks widened the regional conflict to another strategic maritime corridor, raising fears of further disruption to international shipping.
Global energy markets reacted sharply to the developments. Brent crude rose by more than 6%, climbing above $100 a barrel for the first time since May, as traders assessed the potential impact of expanding hostilities on oil exports.
The escalation comes roughly two weeks after the collapse of an interim ceasefire intended to reduce regional tensions. The United States carried out another round of overnight airstrikes on Iran, while Tehran responded by launching missile and drone attacks against neighboring Gulf states hosting U.S. military facilities.
Saudi authorities said the tanker Encelia caught fire after being struck but confirmed that all crew members were safely evacuated. The Houthis later said they had also targeted a second tanker operating in the Red Sea.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States would hold Iran responsible for any future attacks carried out by the Houthis, describing the Yemeni movement as an Iranian proxy.
“If they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible,” Trump said, adding that both Iran and the Houthis would face “major military punishment” if the attacks continued.
The Houthis, who control much of northern and western Yemen, announced earlier this week that they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. The move threatens shipping through the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Saudi Arabia has used Red Sea export routes to transport millions of barrels of oil per day via pipelines, helping bypass disruptions affecting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a diplomatic gathering in Southeast Asia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the costs imposed on Iran would continue to rise unless Tehran agreed to a peace arrangement that it would honor.
Rubio said Iran had repeatedly sought negotiations but accused Tehran of failing to uphold previous agreements, adding that continued military pressure could influence its calculations.
The Bab El-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, serving as a critical gateway between Europe and Asia. Any prolonged disruption there, alongside tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, could have significant implications for global energy markets and international commerce.
